Catalyzed hot gas heating system for concentrated solar power generation systems

ABSTRACT

A solar power generation system includes a fluid housing, a solar collector, and a heating system. The fluid housing contains a heat transfer medium. The solar collector concentrates solar energy onto the heat transfer medium. The heating system includes at least one gas tank containing a gas and fluidically connected to a first catalyst. The first catalyst is configured to catalyze gas from the gas tank to create hot gas. The heating system also includes a first hot gas pipe fluidically connected to the first catalyst and positioned with respect to the fluid housing such that hot gas flowing through the first hot gas pipe comes into thermal contact with the heat transfer medium within the fluid housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to the following co-pendingapplication filed on the same day as this application: “CATALYZED HOTGAS HEATING SYSTEM FOR PIPES” by inventors A. Little and A. Zillmer(U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ Attorney Docket No.PA-9579-US/U74.12-100).

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to thermal energy collecting systems, andin particular, to heating a molten storage medium used in thermal energycollecting systems.

Throughout the world there is an increasing demand for energy, which istypically provided by fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal.Additionally, due to scarcity and adverse environmental effects offossil fuels, cleaner, renewable energy sources are becoming moredesirable. As technology advances, alternative fuel sources are becomingpractical to replace, or at least augment, conventional power plants tomeet worldwide energy demand in a clean manner. In particular, solarenergy is freely available and is becoming more feasible, especially inthe form of concentrated solar power, which allows for energy storageand can be scaled for commercial production.

Concentrated solar power generation systems typically comprise solarcollectors that focus solar rays onto a heat transfer medium such as amolten salt. For example, solar power towers use an array of thousandsof heliostats to concentrate energy on an elevated central receiverthrough which molten salt flows inside of numerous pipes. In solartrough systems, molten salt flows through extended lengths of pipingwhich are shrouded by solar collecting troughs that concentrate energyalong lengths of the pipes. Heat from the solar energy is transferred tothe molten salt and then through a heat exchanger to another medium,such as air or water, which is then used to generate mechanical energythat is ultimately converted to electrical power. Molten saltefficiently stores heat from the solar energy for extended periods oftime such that electrical power can be generated at night or duringother periods of low solar collection.

Molten salts can solidify if cooled below a certain temperature.Consequently, pipes and tanks holding the molten salt are typicallywrapped in electrical trace heating elements (electrical resistancewires). Electrical trace heating can, however, be relatively expensive,increasing total cost of power production. Moreover, electrical traceheating can be prone to failure, causing the entire solar powergeneration system to require shut-down for maintenance. There is,therefore, a need for improved heating of pipes and tanks for the heattransfer medium in a solar power generation system.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, a solar power generation systemincludes a fluid housing, a solar collector, and a heating system. Thefluid housing contains a heat transfer medium. The solar collectorconcentrates solar energy onto the heat transfer medium. The heatingsystem includes at least one gas tank containing a gas and fluidicallyconnected to a first catalyst. The first catalyst is configured tocatalyze gas from the gas tank to create hot gas. The heating systemalso includes a first hot gas pipe fluidically connected to the firstcatalyst and positioned with respect to the fluid housing such that hotgas flowing through the first hot gas pipe comes into thermal contactwith the heat transfer medium within the fluid housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a concentrated solar powergeneration system having a heating system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a portion of theheating system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a portion of theheating system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a portion of theheating system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of fourth embodiment of a portion of theheating system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a portion of theheating system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a pipe heating zonealong section 7A-7A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the pipe heatingzone along section 7B-7B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7C is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the pipe heatingzone along section 7C-7C of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the present invention includes a heating system for heatinga heat transfer medium in a concentrated solar power generation system.The heating system includes catalysts positioned near various parts ofthe solar power generation system that can contain the heat transfermedium. A blend of fuel and air is blown across the catalysts, reacts,and creates heat which is then transferred to the various parts andultimately to the heat transfer medium.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of concentrated solar power generationsystem 10 having heating system 12 of the present invention. In theembodiment shown, power generation system 10 comprises a power towersystem having solar collector system 14, central receiver 16, tower 18,cold storage tank 20, hot storage tank 22, heat exchanger 24, generator26, pumps 28A, 28B and 28C, and pipes 30A, 30B, 30C and 30D. In otherembodiments, power generation system 10 may comprise a beam down solarpower generation system or a parabolic trough solar power generationsystem. Solar collector system 14 and central receiver 16 impart heatfrom the sun into a molten heat transfer medium contained in storagetanks 20 and 22 such that thermal energy can be converted to electricalenergy using heat exchanger 24 and conversion system 26.

Solar collector system 14 comprises an array of sun-tracking mirrors, orheliostats, that concentrate solar rays at central receiver 16 to heat aheat transfer medium located within pipes 30A-30D. In one embodiment,approximately 8,500 heliostats, each having a having surface area ofabout 42 mi² (square meters) to about 150 m², are arrangedconcentrically around a tower, having a height of approximately 170meters, to cover an area of approximately 1 to 2 square mile (˜2.59 to˜5.18 square kilometers). The heat transfer medium typically comprisesmolten salt that is maintained in a molten state between approximately500° F. (˜260.0° C.) and 1200° F. (˜648.9° C.) such that it remainsliquid. Through pipe 30A, pump 28A directs cool heat transfer mediumfrom cold storage tank 20 into a plurality of tubes within centralreceiver 16 whereby heat from the concentrated solar rays is impartedinto the heat transfer medium. Through pipe 30B, pump 28B directs theheated heat transfer medium from receiver 16 to hot storage tank 22where it is stored in a state ready for producing power with heatexchanger 24. When power is desired to be produced, heated heat transfermedium is routed through pipe 30C by pump 28C from hot storage tank 22to heat exchanger 24 where heat is input into conversion system 26.Conversion system 26 may comprise any conventional system that convertsthermal energy to mechanical energy, such as Brayton cycle or Rankinecycle systems. In the embodiment shown, conversion system 26 comprises asteam turbine generator having first stage expander 32A, second stageexpander 32B, generator 34 and condenser 36. Water within heat exchanger24 is heated by the molten heat transfer medium to produce steam thatturns first and second stage expanders 32A and 32B. Expanders 32A and32B rotate a shaft to drive generator 34 to convert mechanical energy toelectrical energy. Heat exchanger 24 therefore removes heat from theheat transfer medium before the heat transfer medium is returned to coldstorage tank 20 through pipe 30D. Although solar power generation system10 is shown using three pumps to move molten salt through pipes 30A-30D,more or fewer pumps can be used. For example, in various embodiments,the height of tower 18 provides enough pressure to move the molten saltinto hot storage tank 22 such that pump 28B is not needed.

The use of a heat transfer medium such as molten salt allows powergeneration system 10 to efficiently store thermal energy in saltcontained in hot storage tank 22 such that electrical power can begenerated at times when solar collector system 14 is operating belowpeak. Thus, power generation system 10 can be run 24 hours a day at lowpower production or at higher production levels for shorter intervals.In various embodiments, the molten salt can be salts composed ofalkaline earth fluorides and alkali metal fluorides, and combinationsthereof. Suitable elements of the molten salt include: Lithium (Li),Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Francium (Fr),Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium(Ba), Radium (Ra), and Fluorine (F). Examples of suitable fluoridemolten salts include, but are not limited to: FLiNaK, FLiBe, FLiNaBe,FLiKBe, and combinations thereof, as is described in greater detail inU.S. Pat. App. No. 2008/0000231 to Litwin et al. In other embodiments,other suitable heat transfer media may be used.

Salts, however, need to be maintained at elevated temperatures to remainin a molten state such that the salt can flow between components ofpower generation system 10 using pipes 30A-30D and pumps 28A-28C. Thus,heating system 12 is provided throughout power generation system 10 tomaintain the salt at elevated temperatures. Heating system 12 includesfuel tank 38, compressed gas tank 40, gas supply pipe 42, catalysts44A-44F, and pipe heating zones 46A-46D. Heating system 12 also includeselements (not shown in FIG. 1) inside of cold storage tank 20 and hotstorage tank 22. Fuel tank 38 can hold a compressed, combustible gassuch as hydrogen or methane. Compressed gas tank 40 can hold compressedordinary air, with atmospheric levels of oxygen and nitrogen. Fuel fromfuel tank 38 can be blended with air from compressed gas tank 40 atlevels that will not combust under ordinary conditions. This blend offuel and air is then supplied to various locations in power generationsystem 10 via gas supply pipe 42 and blown across catalysts 44A-44F. Thecatalyst material used for catalysts 44A-44F can include a noble metalsuch as platinum, palladium, rhodium, or other suitable catalystmaterials. In one embodiment, catalysts 44A-44F can include a chambercontaining a plurality of relatively small pellets (not shown). Thesmall pellets can comprise a suitable catalyst material deposited on aparent material such as alumina (also known as aluminum oxide). As theblend of fuel and air passes across the small pellets, the fuel reactswith the oxygen and is combusted, which heats the product of thereaction and any gases that do not react, such as nitrogen and anyremaining oxygen. Thus, catalyzed hot gas is created for use at coldstorage tank 20, hot storage tank 22, and each of pipe heating zones46A-46D to maintain the molten salt at a particular temperature. Pipeheating zones 46A-46D provide heat to portions of pipes 30A-30D,respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, pipe heating zones 46A-46Dprovide heat to substantially an entire length of pipe where the moltensalt flows. Only relatively small gaps of pipe exist without any pipeheating.

Heating system 12 can be used to heat the molten salt in a variety ofcircumstances. For example, when heat exchanger 24 extracts heat out ofthe molten salt, the molten salt may drop near or below a minimumdesired temperature. Heating system 12 can be used to maintain thedesired temperature until the molten salt is delivered back to centralreceiver 16 to be heated by solar rays. Similarly, during periods oflimited sun exposure, such as nighttime, temperature of the molten saltthroughout most or all of power generation system 10 can drop near orbelow a minimum desired temperature. Heating system 12 can be used tomaintain the desired temperature until adequate sun exposure returns. Incertain circumstances, it may be desirable to allow the molten salt tosolidify over night instead of continuously heating it. In that case,heating system 12 can be used to re-melt the salt each morning.Alternatively, cold storage tank 20 and hot storage tank 22 can becontinually heated over night while only pipes 30A-30D are allowed tocool below the desired temperature. Heating system 12 can also be usedto melt salt any time it becomes necessary, such as during an initialstart-up of power generation system 10.

In each of the above heating examples, different areas of powergeneration system 10 can require different amounts of heat. Heatingsystem 12 can use a set of valves or regulators to vary the amount ofheat applied to each area by varying the amount of fuel and airdelivered to each catalyst 44A-44F. For example, heating system 12 cansupply a relatively large quantity of fuel and air to catalysts 44D,44E, and 44A when salt is relatively cold in pipe 30D, cold storage tank20, and pipe 30A, while supplying little or no fuel and air to catalysts44B, 44F, and 44C when salt is relatively hot in pipe 30B, hot storagetank 22, and pipe 30C. Temperature sensors can be placed throughoutpower generation system 10 to provide temperature information to helpdetermine where heat is needed. In other embodiments, heating system 12can include more or less catalysts depending on needs of powergeneration system 10.

Catalysts 44A-44F can be located at or near their respective areas ofheating in order to reduce an amount of time it takes the catalyzed hotgas to reach its intended target. In one embodiment, fuel and air in gassupply pipe 42 can be mixed with a ratio that has little or no chance ofcombusting without a catalyst. This allows fuel and air to be pipedrelatively long distances through gas supply pipe 42 with little to norisk of fire or explosion even if gas supply pipe 42 is breached.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a portion ofheating system 12. FIG. 2 shows that portion of heating system 12including catalyst 44A and pipe heating zone 46A for heating pipe 30A.Although FIG. 2 illustrates only one portion of heating system 12, pipes30B-30D (shown in FIG. 1) can be heated by catalysts 44B-44D and pipeheating zones 46B-46D in a similar manner. In the first embodiment,valve 48 blends air from compressed gas tank 40 with fuel from fuel tank38 to create a desired ratio of fuel to air. In one embodiment, valve 48can be a small servo valve. In another embodiment, valve 48 could be amore complex combination of regulators. Operation of valve 48 can becontrolled by a controller connected to temperature sensors locatedthroughout heating system 12. The blend of fuel and air is passed overcatalyst 44A where it reacts and creates a catalyzed hot gas. Thecatalyzed hot gas is then passed through pipe heating zone 46A to heatpipe 30A (not shown in FIG. 2) and is ultimately exhausted to theatmosphere.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a portion ofheating system 12. The second embodiment of heating system 12 is similarto the first embodiment of heating system 12 except for the addition ofgas heat exchanger 50. In the second embodiment, the blend of fuel andair is passed through gas heat exchanger 50 prior to entering catalyst44A. Catalyzed hot gas from catalyst 44A is piped through pipe heatingzone 46A and then through gas heat exchanger 50 prior to exhausting toatmosphere. The catalyzed hot gas leaving pipe cools as it passesthrough pipe heating zone 46A but is still warm relative to the blend offuel and air prior to entering catalyst 44A. Consequently, gas heatexchanger 50 can transfer heat from the catalyzed hot gas tononcatalyzed fuel and air prior to the catalyzed hot gas being exhaustedto the atmosphere. In certain applications, heating the blend of fueland air prior to catalyzing can increase efficiency of that catalyticprocess. As with the first embodiment, pipes 30B-30D can also be heatedas described in the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a portion ofheating system 12. The third embodiment of heating system 12 is similarto the first embodiment of heating-system 12 except that fuel tank 38and compressed gas tank 40 are replaced with Tridyne tank 52. Tridyne isa gas that includes various mixtures of inert gas and relatively smallfractions of fuel and oxidizer. Tridyne is non-reactive under ordinaryconditions but becomes reactive upon exposure to a catalyst. The fuelused for Tridyne can be hydrogen, methane, ethane, or a mixture thereof.The oxidizer used for Tridyne can be air, oxygen, or oxygen diflouride,or a mixture thereof. The inert gas for Tridyne can be nitrogen, helium,argon, xenon, krypton, or a mixture thereof. The catalyst used forcatalysts 44A-44F can include any suitable catalyst material such asthose described with respect to FIG. 1. Composition and use of Tridyneis further described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,009—CATALYTIC METHOD OFPRODUCING HIGH TEMPERATURE GASES by Joseph Friedman, which is hereinincorporated by reference.

Because Tridyne is substantially non-reactive under ordinary conditions,it can be stored in a single tank without fear of explosion. Using asingle tank of Tridyne allows heating system 12 to be furthersimplified. Additionally, ordinary air may contain substances that canbe harmful to power generation system 10 under certain applications. Useof Tridyne, such as a blend including nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen,can reduce exposure to contaminants found in ordinary air. As with thefirst and second embodiments, pipes 30B-30D can also be heated asdescribed in the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a portion ofheating system 12. FIG. 5 shows that portion of heating system 12including catalyst 44E for heating cold storage tank 20. Although FIG. 5illustrates only one portion of heating system 12, hot storage tank 22can be heated by catalyst 44F in a similar manner. In the fifthembodiment, valve 48 blends air from compressed gas tank 40 with fuelfrom fuel tank 38 to create a desired ratio of fuel to air. The blend offuel and air is passed over catalyst 44E, through tank inlet pipe 52,and into cold storage tank 20. As the catalyzed hot gas enters coldstorage tank 20, it flows through tank heat exchanger 54. In theillustrated embodiment, tank heat exchanger 54 is a tube that windsthrough cold storage tank 20. In other embodiments, other suitable heatexchangers can be used so long as they allow heat transfer from thecatalyzed hot gas to the salt while preventing the catalyzed hot gasfrom mixing with the salt. The catalyzed hot gas eventually exits coldstorage tank 20 via vent 56. In another embodiment, gas heat exchanger50 can be used to recover heat from catalyzed hot gas vented from coldstorage tank 20 in a manner similar to that described with respect toFIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a portion ofheating system 12. The fifth embodiment is similar to the fourthembodiment except that tank heat exchanger 54 is replaced with gasdistribution manifold 58. Gas distribution manifold 58 blows catalyzedhot gas through orifices 60 into direct contact with the salt of coldstorage tank 20. When the salt is originally placed into the tank, itcan be solid granules of salt which the catalyzed hot gas can flow overand through. After the salt is heated, it can be molten salt which thecatalyzed hot gas can bubble through. The catalyzed hot gas eventuallyexits cold storage tank 20 via vent 56.

Catalyzing hydrogen or methane with ordinary air creates catalyzed hotgas that typically will not react with molten salt or otherwiseadversely effect power generation system 10. Other heat transfer mediamay, however, require careful selection of fuel in fuel tank 38 and gasin compressed gas tank 40 in order to prevent the catalyzed hot gas fromnegatively reacting with the heat transfer media. In an alternativeembodiment, Tridyne can be catalyzed for heating cold storage tank 20.Use of Tridyne can be particularly beneficial when power generationsystem 10 uses a heat transfer medium that can be harmed by contactingsubstances in ordinary air. In another embodiment, gas heat exchanger 50can be used to recover heat from catalyzed hot gas vented from coldstorage tank 20 in a manner similar to that described with respect toFIG. 3. As with the fourth embodiment, hot storage tank 22 can also beheated as described in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a sectional view of a first embodiment of pipe heating zone46A along section 7A-7A of FIG. 2. In the first embodiment, pipe heatingzone 46A includes hot gas pipes 62A-62D and insulation 64. Hot gas pipes62A-62D are relatively small tubes physically adjacent to an exteriorsurface of pipe 30A. In one embodiment, hot gas pipes 62A-62D can bemade of stainless steel. Catalyzed hot gas flows through hot gas pipes62A-62D to transfer heat to salt in pipe 30A. In the illustratedembodiment, hot gas pipes 62A-62D run parallel to pipe 30A and arespaced substantially symmetrically around pipe 30A. Hot gas pipe 62A ison an opposite side of pipe 30A from hot gas pipe 62C while hot gas pipe62B is on an opposite side of pipe 30A from hot gas pipe 62D. In analternative embodiment, hot gas pipes 62A-62D can spiral around pipe30A. In yet another alternative embodiment, the number of hot gas pipescan be fewer than four to reduce cost or can be greater than four toincrease surface area of contact between the hot gas pipes and pipe 30A.Insulation 64 is a layer of thermally insulating materials covering hotgas pipes 62A-62D and pipe 30A. Insulation 64 reduces heat loss from hotgas pipes 62A-62D to the atmosphere so that more heat can be transferredto salt in pipe 30A.

Shoe 65 is physically adjacent to hot gas pipe 62A and to pipe 30A forincreasing heat conduction between the pipes. In the illustratedembodiment, shoe 65 is between portions of hot gas pipe 62A and pipe30A, but a portion of hot gas pipe 62A is also directly adjacent to pipe30A. In another embodiment, shoe 65 can be a larger cradle, physicallyseparating hot gas pipe 62A from pipe 30A while still facilitation heattransfer. Shoe 65 can be made from stainless steel, copper, or othersuitable heat conducting materials. Pipe heating zones 46B-46D can alsoconfigured as described in this first embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a second embodiment of pipe heating zone46A along section 7B-7B of FIG. 2. The second embodiment is similar tothe first embodiment except that hot gas pipes 62A-62D are replaced withheating passage 66. Heating passage 66 includes a passage outer wall 68spaced concentrically with pipe 30A. Catalyzed hot gas flows throughannular region 70 between an outer surface of pipe 30A and an innersurface of passage outer wall 68. Pipe heating zones 46B-46D can alsoconfigured as described in this second embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a sectional view of a third embodiment of pipe heating zone46A along section 7C-7C of FIG. 2. The third embodiment is similar tothe first embodiment except that hot gas pipes 62A-62D are omitted.Instead, catalyzed hot gas flows through pipe 30A. The catalyzed hot gasheats salt in pipe 30A through direct contact and is eventually ventedto the atmosphere while the molten salt is retained in pipe 30A. Thismethod can benefit from using gases selected so as to avoid adverselyreacting with the heat transfer medium. This method can also be used toheat pipe 30A when it is empty, to control temperature changes duringstartup or shutdown procedures. The methods of heating pipe heating zone46A described with respect to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C can also be used toheat pipe heating zones 46B-46D.

Although the invention has been described using molten salt as the heattransfer medium, this invention is not limited to heating molten salt.The systems and methods describe above can be used to heat virtually anyheat transfer media suitable for use in a concentrated solar powergeneration system.

It will be recognized that the present invention provides numerousbenefits and advantages. For example, heating with catalyzed hot gas asin the current invention has a higher conversion efficiency (conversionof fuel to heat) than heating with electrical traces. This is becausefor electric heating, energy in the fuel must first be converted intoelectricity and then converted from electricity to heat. Catalyzed hotgas has one step of converting the fuel to heat. This increase inconversion efficiency can be a cost savings.

Additionally, heating with catalyzed hot gas can be relatively reliable.Electrical trace heating is typically more prone to failure than pipesand catalysts. Electrical traces can burn out or be stuck on.Furthermore, in the event of a loss of electrical power, a catalyzed hotgas heating system can continue to operate while an electrical traceheating system can fail.

Moreover, heating with catalyzed hot gas can be better for theenvironment. Electricity created by burning fossil fuels at hightemperatures, for example, often creates various pollutants such asnitrogen oxide. Catalyzing hydrogen or methane can be a relatively cleancombustion process, creating byproducts of mostly water and carbondioxide. Because hydrogen and methane catalyze at a relatively lowtemperature, little or no nitrogen oxide is produced.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the scopeof the invention as claimed. For example, heating pipes with catalyzedhot gas as described above need not be limited to heating molten salt ina solar power generation system. These methods may be used to heat fluidpipes in other industrial process systems that are compatible with thesemethods.

1. A solar power generation system comprising: a fluid housing; a heattransfer medium within the fluid housing; a solar collector forconcentrating solar energy onto the heat transfer medium; and a heatingsystem for heating the fluid housing, the heating system comprising: atleast one gas tank containing a gas; a first catalyst fluidicallyconnected to the at least one gas tank, wherein the first catalyst isconfigured to catalyze gas from the gas tank to create hot gas; and afirst hot gas pipe fluidically connected to the first catalyst andpositioned with respect to the fluid housing such that hot gas flowingthrough the first hot gas pipe comes into thermal contact with the heattransfer medium within the fluid housing.
 2. The solar power generationsystem of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer medium comprises a moltensalt.
 3. The solar power generation system of claim 1, and furthercomprising: a heat exchanger positioned inside the fluid housing andfluidically connected to the first hot gas pipe; and a vent fluidicallyconnected to the heat exchanger such that hot gas piped into the heatexchanger is vented to the atmosphere and remains substantiallyfluidically isolated from the heat transfer medium in the fluid housing.4. The solar power generation system of claim 1, and further comprising:a gas distribution manifold fluidically connected to the first hot gaspipe and positioned inside the fluid housing, the gas distributionmanifold having at least one orifice for blowing hot gas into the fluidhousing in physical contact with the heat transfer medium.
 5. The solarpower generation system of claim 4, and further comprising: a fluidhousing vent for releasing hot gas from the fluid housing.
 6. The solarpower generation system of claim 1, wherein the fluid housing comprisesa storage tank.
 7. The solar power generation system of claim 1, whereinthe fluid housing comprises at least one hot storage tank, at least onecold storage tank, and a heat transfer medium pipe fluidicallyconnecting the hot storage tank to the cold storage tank.
 8. The solarpower generation system of claim 7, and further comprising: a solarreceiver fluidically connected to the heat transfer medium pipe betweenthe hot storage tank to the cold storage tank.
 9. The solar powergeneration system of claim 7, wherein the first catalyst is positionedrelatively near the cold storage tank for providing hot gas to the coldstorage tank, the solar power generation system further comprising: asecond catalyst fluidically connected to the at least one gas tank andpositioned relatively near a first portion of the heat transfer mediumpipe for providing hot gas to the first portion of the heat transfermedium pipe; a third catalyst fluidically connected to the at least onegas tank and positioned relatively near a second portion of the heattransfer medium pipe for providing hot gas to the second portion of theheat transfer medium pipe; and a fourth catalyst fluidically connectedto the at least one gas tank and positioned relatively near the hotstorage tank for providing hot gas to the hot storage tank.
 10. Thesolar power generation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one gastank comprises a gas tank for holding Tridyne.
 11. The solar powergeneration system of claim 1, wherein the at least one gas tankcomprises a first gas tank for holding air and a second gas tank forholding fuel selected from a group consisting of hydrogen and methane.12. The solar power generation system of claim 11, and furthercomprising: at least one valve between the first tank, the second tank,and the first catalyst.
 13. A method for heating a heat transfer mediumin a solar power generation system, the method comprising: flowing agaseous mixture across a catalyst bed; catalyzing the gaseous mixture tocreate a hot gas; flowing the hot gas through a passage in thermalcontact with the heat transfer medium; and transferring heat from thehot gas to the heat transfer medium.
 14. The method of claim 13, andfurther comprising: flowing the heat transfer medium to a solar receiverfor absorbing solar rays.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the heattransfer medium comprises a salt, and wherein transferring heat from thehot gas to the salt melts the salt from a solid.
 16. The method of claim13, wherein a portion of the passage comprises a heat exchangerpositioned inside a tank of the heat transfer medium.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, and further comprising: flowing the hot gas into a fluidhousing containing the heat transfer medium; bubbling the hot gasthrough the heat transfer medium; and venting the hot gas out of thefluid housing.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the gaseous mixtureis Tridyne.
 19. The method of claim 13, and further comprising: mixing afuel from a first tank with air from a second tank to create the gaseousmixture, wherein the fuel is selected from a group consisting ofhydrogen and methane.
 20. The method of claim 13, and furthercomprising: flowing the gaseous mixture through a heat exchanger priorto flowing the gaseous mixture across the catalyst bed; and flowing thehot gas through the heat exchanger after transferring heat from the hotgas to the heat transfer medium.
 21. A method for heating a heattransfer medium in a solar power generation system, the methodcomprising: flowing a gaseous mixture from a main pipe across a firstcatalyst bed to create catalyzed hot gas; heating a tank containing theheat transfer medium with catalyzed hot gas from the first catalyst bed;flowing the gaseous mixture from the main pipe across a second catalystbed to create catalyzed hot gas; heating a first pipe containing theheat transfer medium with catalyzed hot gas from the second catalystbed; flowing the gaseous mixture from the main pipe across a thirdcatalyst bed to create catalyzed hot gas; and heating a second pipecontaining the heat transfer medium with catalyzed hot gas from thethird catalyst bed.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein each of thefirst, second, and third catalysts are located relatively near the tank,the first pipe, and the second pipe, respectively.